Esther B. Davis Presenter BREAKING THE SILENCE Esther B. Davis Presenter

THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE THE AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

2006 CMHS Uniform Reporting System (URS) Tables 5/18/2008 NOMs p.1 ADULT EMPLOYMENT STATUS Employment Status 622, 219 14% 22% 54 (percent with Employment Data) Re-Admission Rates: (Civil “non-Forensic” clients) State Hospital Readmissions: 180 Days 28,466 8.1% 19.6% 47 US FY 2006 Maryland US. Rate States US FY 2006 Maryland US. Rate States

2005 CMHS Uniform Reporting System (URS) Tables 5/25/2008 NOMs p.1 ADULT EMPLOYMENT STATUS Employment Status (percent in Labor Force) RE-ADMISSION RATES: (Civil “non-Forensic” clients) State Hospital Re-admissions: 180 Days US FY 2005 Maryland US. Rate States 591,468 28% 37% 51 US FY 2005 Maryland US. Rate States 27, 456 16.6% 19.6% 45

THE ROLE OF FAITH IN RECOVERY GETTING PAST THE SHAME You may feel that you can deal with this on your own or don’t want to be labeled as “crazy,” and have chosen not to get help. Seeking help is a healthy thing to do. THE ROLE OF FAITH IN RECOVERY Practicing your faith and worshipping with people who care about you can help keep you strong, focused and connected to a healing force. PSYCHOTHERAPY Therapy can give you new ways to manage stress and avoid negative events that cause any re-hospitalization. 2008 Mental Health America

MENTAL HEALTH – AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULATION Several factors have contributed to African Americans not receiving help for mental illness: A mistrust of health professionals Cultural barriers A tendency to talk about physical problems, rather that discuss mental symptoms Continued misunderstanding and stigma about mental illness 2008 Mental Health America

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CAN BE HELPED BY TREATMENT MEDICATION •The doctor may recommend one or more medicines to find what works best COUNSELING • Often, psychotherapy or other forms of counseling are used in combination with medication PEER SUPPORT • The advice and support of others who have mental illness can aid recovery COMPLEMENTARY CARE • Some people benefit from exercise, stress reduction classes and other activities to complement their treatment and help them manage their illness 2008 Mental Health America

AVAILABILITY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES The public mental health safety net of hospitals, community health centers, and local health departments are vital to many African Americans, especially to those in high-need populations. African Americans account for only 2% of psychiatrist, 2% of psychologists and 4% of social workers in the United States. ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Nearly 1 in 4 African Americans is uninsured, compared to 16% of the U.S. population. Rates of employer-based health coverage are just over 50% for employed African Americans, compared to over 70% for employed Hispanic whites. Medicaid covers nearly 21% of African Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General

RESOURCES National Medical Association (List of African American Doctors) 1-888-662-7487 Black Psychiatrists of America 510-834-7103 American Association of Pastoral Counselors 703-385-6967 Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance 1-800-826-3632 American Psychiatric Association 703-907-7300